Google To Improve YouTube's Video Quality

Google plans to improve YouTube's video quality by using software to render steadier videos with sharpened images and reduced visual noise. Having acquired Irish firm, Green Parrot Pictures, a digital video technology company, big wigs at Google are hoping Green Parrot's application would help make their videos look better with lesser bandwidth consumption as well as improve playback speed.

YouTube Blog - At YouTube, we see 35 hours of video uploaded to the site every minute from people all over the world. Some videos are beautifully shot by professionals or aspiring filmmakers using the very latest in HD cameras and equipment. But some of YouTube’s most popular or moving videos are shot using low-quality mobile phones and video cameras. Take, for example, videos of recent protests in Libya. Although emotionally captivating, they can be jerky, blurry or unsteady. What if there was a technology that could improve the quality of such videos -- sharpening the image, reducing visual noise and rendering a higher-quality, steadier video -- all while your video is simply being uploaded to the site?

It is yet unclear if YouTube subscribers have the option to opt out of Google's video enhancements, although it's certain Green Parrot's treatment will be applied to most uploaded videos, even the lowest quality footage captured on low-resolution mobile phone cameras. There's more here from Mr Jeremy Doig, Director of Google's Video Technology team.